One of the longest running quiz shows on British television is that of Mastermind. First aired on BBC television in 1972. It was based on the actual experiences of the shows creator when he was interrogated by the Gestapo during the second world war. Whilst it is unlikely that they asked him questions about the life and times of John Milton, the works of Franz Scuhbert or the most popular subject Harry Potter, the idea worked.
Contests sit in an imposing black leather chair and a series of questions of 2 minutes are fired at them on their specialist chosen subject. They can pass a question, saving time and moving on. The second round is based on medium to hard general knowledge questions. The person with the most correct answers wins. The pressure of the situation is a telling factor and many unwitting contests have fallen to it’s snare.
The theme music, ‘Approaching menace’ has added to the general mythos around the show itself. Despite or because of the very serious tone the show has been lampooned several times by comedy shows. The waspish statement of “I’ve started so I’ll finish” from the host when the timer interrupts the last question being one of the many idiosyncrasies of the show that has proved a popular target. Still running after 49 years you’ll need the services of TV Aerials Cheltenham experts Steve Unett Aerials to make sure you get a nice clean reception for BBC programmes where the show is still broadcast today.